Florida implements new rules for disabled parking permits

Due to legislation introduced by Senator Gwen Margolis, new rules have been implemented regarding obtaining disabled parking permits. Effective October 1, 2012, any person issued a blue permanent disabled parking permit must renew the permit every four years and when doing so, provide a certificate of disability completed and signed by a certifying authority within the last twelve months. Thus, every blue disabled parking permit holder will, at least every four years and within twelve months of the date of their renewal, fill out Form HSMV 83039. Permit holders will not have to pay a renewal fee. They can renew online, by mail or by visiting a Tax Collector’s office.

In addition, effective July 1, 2012, if your blue permanent disabled parking permit is lost or stolen, a replacement will only be issued if you submit the same documentation required for renewals. The new law does not affect red temporary disabled parking permits, nor people who have disabled (wheelchair) license plates.

The legislation also directs the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to develop and implement a means by which persons can report abuse of disabled parking permits by telephone hotline or by submitting a form online or by mail. Calls should be placed to the Department’s Customer Service Center at 850-617-3803.

The blue disabled parking permit with a current sticker must be visible from the front and rear of a motor vehicle. One side of the permit must display the applicant’s driver license number or state identification card number and the applicant must have such identification at all times while using the parking permit. Illegally obtaining or using a permit can result in the loss of the parking permit and carries the potential for criminal penalties as outlined in Florida Statute Section 320.0848.

For more information, call Senator Gwen Margolis’s office at 3,05-571-5777